By Thane Grauel

WESTPORT — The Westport Weston Family YMCA will be able to expand its summer camp offerings following a Tuesday approval by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

An earlier effort by the Y to expand its summer offerings was met with neighbors’ opposition and some tough questions from the P&Z, but Tuesday’s hearing — on whether to allow a laser-tag course and a “Mini Mack Village” — went smoothly.

It seems the Y looped neighbors in on their plans early and responded to their feedback. Some neighbors wrote letters in favor of the proposal.

“Both would be close to the pool house and away from neighbors on Twin Falls Lane and Rices Lane,” an application document states.

“Many of these elements are minor updates or upgrades to existing stations with the goal of providing increased variety, interest, and learning for our campers,” Anjali McCormick, CEO of the Y, wrote.

“These stations will remain seasonal and temporary in nature, and only used during the camp season, June through August,” John Fallon, a lawyer for the Y, said Tuesday.

“We did send a letter to all of our neighbors,” he said. “We are requesting no modifications to the existing hours and days that all these camp features can be utilized.”

Commission member Neil Cohn said it was good to see positive letters.

“This is a good one, easy,” he said.

Member Amy Wistreich asked for confirmation no hours of operation would not be changing, which she received, “otherwise, I’m in full support of the excellent work at the Y,” she said.

Alternate member Michael Valone said he was in support of the application, but was concerned about laser tag.

“It does strike me as a little bit curious about laser tag, promoting the use of guns for children,” he said. “Maybe some consideration should be thought about educationally.”

Some youth organizations, including Scouts BSA, don’t allow activities like laser tag, squirt guns or paintball where humans, or human-like representations, are targeted.

“We are very mindful of that,” McCormick responded to Valante. “We use a super-soaker, the bright pink, yellow, green, purple, so that’s either water or Nerf. We also use the course for other games, so laser tag is not the only game. It is one of six of seven that the course will be used for.”

Answer or non-answer, Fallon stepped in.

He said he’s the grandfather of eight, and has seen the activity at many birthday parties.

“It’s a very popular recreational form for the kids, and I think if done in the proper environment, as we will do it, it doesn’t have to be averse to ensuring that people are very conscious of gun safety and whatnot. It’s really just a recreational opportunity for these young kids.”

“But we appreciate your sensitivity to the question,” Fallon told Valante.

“I think it was a year ago, June 12, that we scrutinized them a lot, the lack of neighbors concerned this year is a big difference,” member John Bolton said, noting that this year neighbors were consulted.

“They did take it to heart and I think we should at least promote that,” Bolton said.

“It’s great they had buy-in from the neighbors and whatnot,” member Michael Cammeyer said.

The approval was unanimous.

Planning and Zoning Director Mary Young said, with the commission’s approval, she’d include conditions stating the hours of operation would not be changing and requiring coverage computations including the Mini Mack Village.

Thane Grauel grew up in Westport and has been a journalist in Fairfield County and beyond for 36 years. Reach him at editor@westportjournal.com. Learn more about us here.